“He’s loaned to us, but we promised him he would try to negotiate a longer-term deal,” Payne said.

Ben Haim last played for English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers, with that club agreeing to loan the defender to Toronto after it had officially been relegated to the Championship earlier this month. He is under contract with QPR through the end of June, after which point he would be free to join a team of his choosing.

According to Payne, Ben Haim wants a longer contract with TFC in place before heading to Canada.

“He’s got offers outside of our league that are lucrative," Payne said. "He obviously doesn’t want to jeopardize those for a two-month loan with us. What we’ve said to him is that we’re fine with the idea that he’s not going to play for us unless we get a deal negotiated.”